Temple stonework in Cambodia
River or town

Boutique hotels in Kampot

Slow days, pepper farms and the best sunsets in the country.

In short

Kampot accommodation divides between the small colonial town and the riverside stretch west of it. Riverside properties are quieter and better for sunsets; town puts you within walking distance of dinner. Both are a short drive from the pepper plantations and the road up Bokor.

Checked

September 2026

At a glance

The short version

Riverside
Bungalows and small hotels along the water west of town, best for sunsets and swimming
In town
Converted shophouses in the small colonial grid, walkable to restaurants and the night market
Getting between
Ten to fifteen minutes by tuk-tuk; most riverside places will run you in
What is nearby
Pepper plantations, the Bokor road, salt fields, and Kep for crab about an hour away
Best months
November to February for dry, mild days
What to check
Whether a riverside property has its own swimming platform and how far the nearest food is

Kampot is the town people mean to stay in for two nights and leave after four.

The two choices

The riverside strip west of town is a run of bungalows and small hotels along the water, most with a swimming platform and an unobstructed view of Bokor across the river. Sunsets here are the best in Cambodia, which is a large claim we are happy to make. The trade is that dinner means a tuk-tuk, though most places will drive you.

In town, converted shophouses in the small colonial grid put you within walking distance of the restaurants and the night market. Less view, more evening.

What the days are for

Pepper plantations, the long road up Bokor, the salt fields in season, and an hour’s drive to Kep for crab straight off the boats. None of it is rushed, which is the town’s entire character.

Questions travellers ask

River or town in Kampot?
River if you want to swim, read and watch the sun go down over Bokor. Town if you would rather walk to dinner and browse the night market.
How long should I stay in Kampot?
Two nights is enough to see the pepper farms and Bokor. Most people who come for two stay three.
Is Kampot good for families?
Yes - it is calm, the riverside properties have space, and the days are naturally slow.
Can I combine Kampot and Kep?
Easily. They are about an hour apart, and a day trip to Kep for crab at the market is the standard move.